Galloway antlers head for Chinese medicine market

In one of the most unusual exports in recent times, a shipment of Scottish red deer antlers has started its 35-day journey from Dumfries and Galloway to the Far East where the antlers will be used in medical potions. The consignment, organised by deer farmer Rupert Shaw, left Gledpark Farm, Borgue, near Kirkcudbright last Friday for Grangemouth before travelling by sea to Hong Kong.

Havingidentifiedapotential buyer for the antlers through his website, a yearlong process saw Shaw go on to secure the necessary export licence for the load and the complete the deal. Most of the red deer antlers in the shipment came from Gledpark’s herd of farmed deer with several other Scottish venison producers contributing antlers to fill the container.

Antlers, exclusively found on stags, are cast annually and can be collected. 0 Hong Kong trading company boss Janis Varklas, left, with deer farmer Rupert Shaw and the antlers Producers of Chinese medicine have valued Scottish red deer antler horn at up to £16 per kilo in Scotland, depending on antler condition, colour, cleanliness and age.

In an important development for the region, future shipments to Hong Kong are already being planned.

Mr Shaw, who is also NFU Scotland’s regional Chairman in Dumfries and Galloway, said: “Although it is early days, the potential demand for Scottish deer antlers in Chinese medicinal products could represent a very valuable market for those who are already producing venison, or are planning to keep deer in the future.

“At current prices of fup to £16 per kilo of antler, and many adult stags casting a set of antlers that could weigh more than 15 kilos, there is a valuable return to be gained if we can secure a foothold in this market.”